kimacG5: Optical Audio out and surround sound systems

Since the release of the first G5, various new Macs including several Powerbook G4 models, iMac G5 models, and Intel Macs have included SPDIF and Toslink digital audio out ports for digital theatre surround speaker systems. Check the Apple Spec Database:

http://www.info.apple.com/support/applespec.html

To find out if yours is one that does. It will usually just say Digital Audio out in the specs. This cable will connect the minijack to that type of port and DTS speakers:

http://www.av-cable.net/digitalaudio/digital-audio-toslink-cables-27015.html

This one will connect Toslink to Toslink:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=TL9 55LL%2FA

Logitech makes a Z-680 Speaker system which hooks up nicely to this Monster cable. Others may too.

If you find you get a non-digital surround speaker system, with only orange/black/green connectors and no Toslink or SPDIF connector, M-Audio used to make a USB adapter for it called the Sonica Theater Focus, whose link now is expired, though you may want to check online if all you have is USB and no Firewire. If you have Firewire, there is Griffin's Firewave:

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/firewave/

For Orange, Green, Blue to USB adapting, this Startech 7-1 adapter works:

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-7-1-USB-Sound-Card/dp/B002LM0U2S